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SUNDAY – Screenplay Competition

Five Screenplay Feature Writing Finalists will have up to ten minutes (ten pages) each for their screenplay to be read in front of a live audience on Closing Night of the 9th Annual Harlem International Film Festival.

FEATURE SCREENPLAY FINALISTS

RELAY
Louise Bylicki   
A coming-of-age drama set in Detroit during the summer of 1967. Katie Novak, 13-years
old, loves running and Motown music, and, in this pre-Title IX era, ultimately wants to go
to the Olympics. She tries out for a community track team and becomes the only white
member on the team. When the Detroit riots break out, her dreams seem lost amid racial
division and chaos, especially since her father is a police officer working the riots.

STRAIGHT DRIVE
Tony Ducret
A man becomes obsessed with forming a romantic relationship with his dead brother’s
widow.

THE BLACKTIVIST
Bill Abelson/Mark Kirby
Booty-chasing soul brother KAY EDWARDS meets foxy redhead MARLA JAMESON,
the leading activist on campus. To win her he must rise above party animal to become
a political animal, THE BLACKTIVIST. Kay studies, writes poetry, leads protests to
impress Marla; all to no avail, until he learns you must care in your heart about people
to get into the pants of the hottest girl in school.

THE EDIBLE BIBLE
James Richards
Dominique Sprain, an up and coming film executive, has come across the story that can
elevate her career, but it may cost more to make than she bargained for.

TROUBLESOME CREEK
Wesley Mullins
While investigating the murder of a popular local citizen, a small town policeman follows
clues that suggest the perpetrator is an important member of his own family. His choice
of doing the right thing versus protecting his family eventually forces him to a crossroads,
where he is either to remain true to his values or become part of the cronyism that rules
the community.

SHORT SCREENPLAY FINALISTS

BEFORE THE BOMB
Tannaz Hazemi
10 year old Elsa takes matters into her own hands when Child Services plans a visit that
could separate her from her beloved 5 year old brother Morris.

BREWSTER COMMONS
Kay Poiro
Black Detroit at the dawn of the 1960s is a city of hope.  Music is in the air and a teenage
girl dreams of being discovered singing, taken away from her life in the projects and every-
thing that comes with it.

RUE
Kay Poiro
Dark forces and family secrets threaten the balance of power in a secluded Louisiana
bayou.